General Overview
The Shawnee County Health Depatment’s (SCHD) Child Care Licensing program works to ensure state regulations are enforced at child care facilities in Shawnee County. SCHD staff also conduct complaint investigations on currently licensed facilities and on those facilities that are not licensed and providing illegal care, according to the statue K.S.A. 65-501, when reported. Assistance is provided to help child care facilities meet all state and local requirements.
Trainings
Information on any required trainings, annual renewal training, or potential resources can be found at and are provided during orientation. If SCHD staff provide trainings, there may be fees associated, and will be made known during promotion of the training.
Fees
Licensing fees are based on the size and type of facility. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has licensing fees, which can be found in the state regulation books for the specific type of child care you are looking to run. In addition, SCHD has licensing fees which can be found below in the helpful document, "Shawnee County Sample Fee Structure". The specific fees are also provided at the orientation.
Helpful Documents
LDCH – Licensed Day Care Homes
CCC – Child Care Centers
GDCH - Group Day Care Homes
The documents are as follows:
To find a topic faster, click on the links below:
Starting a Child Care
When looking to start a child care facility in Shawnee County, whether it is a home or larger facility, you must attend orientation in the county you wish to run your child care, before your application can be processed. Orientation is provided by the Shawnee County Health Department and provides information on how to apply, what paperwork must be completed, what trainings are required and other helpful information.
SCHD provides orientation once a month. Each attendee must pay a $20 registration fee, which must be paid by noon the Friday prior to the class. No children under the age of 12 years old are allowed to attend the class. To register or get more information please call 251-5750.
Helpful forms and documents can be found under the forms link. You can find the regulation books for the State of Kansas, on the
Kansas Department of Health and Environment website.
You can find the required forms from Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Already Operating a Child Care
Home-Based Child Care
When operating a child care facility, providers should have a current temporary permit (TP) or license posted from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. In addition, a current operating certificate should be obtained from the Shawnee County Health Department. Both of these documents are required to legally operate a child care facility in Shawnee County.
Home based child care facilities should follow all regulation and statues found in the regulation guidelines. Inspections for home based child care happen at least annually. You can find required Kansas Department of Health and Environment forms online.
Licensed and Group Child Care Facilities
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment provide the most current regulation guidelines and other helpful information. This licensed category of care allows up to 10 children, unless an exception is granted by KDHE. However, the more children being cared for under the age of 18 months, the limit of children allowed drops. A group child care facility can have up to 12 children, unless an exception is granted by KDHE. The different categories and options can be found in the regulation guidelines.
Any questions regarding capacity should be directed to the Shawnee County Health Department's Child Care Licensing program. It is each child care facility's responsibility to be in compliance with capacity at all times.
Child Care Centers and Preschools
When operating a child care center or preschool, facilities should have a qualified program director for the size of the facility and qualified staff per each unit size and ages of children. Facilities should obtain a current license from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment as well as the current Shawnee County Operating Certificate.
Center and preschool facilities should follow all regulation and statues found in the regulation guidelines. You can find required Kansas Department of Health and Environment forms online. Inspections for center and preschool facilities happen at least annually.
Program Directors do not have to be on site during all operating hours, but should work at least 35 hours per week in the facility. However, when a Program Director is not on-site, there should be a person next in line that is responsible for the operations of the program.
School Age and Drop-In Programs
When operating a school age facility, including summer camps, you should have a qualified Program Director for the size of the facility and qualified staff. Facilities should obtain a current license from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment as well as the current Shawnee County Operating Certificate.
School age facilities should follow all regulation and statues found in the regulation guidelines. Inspections for school age facilities happen at least annually. You can find the required Kansas Department of Health and Environment forms online.
School age facilities vary in the number of children they can provide for, based on the facility's size.
When operating a drop-in facility you should obtain a current license from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment as well as the current Shawnee County Operating Certificate.
Drop-in facilities should follow all regulation and statues found in the regulation guidelines. Inspections for school age facilities happen at least annually.
How to Find Child Care in Shawnee County
Finding Child Care Facilities
There are hundreds of child care providers in Shawnee County. The Shawnee County Health Department Child Care Licensing program inspects all licensed/group child care facilities, centers/preschool facilities, school aged programs (including summer camps) and drop-in programs in Shawnee County.
To find a listing of facilities from homes, centers, preschools, school age and drop-in programs in Shawnee County visit Child Care Aware or call them at 785.357.5171.
It is important to conduct thorough interviews with any potential provider/facility and whenever possible, drop-in on a regular basis to your facility. This is a great way to see how your child is doing, how staff interacts with your child and how the program operates. If you are provided with a contract to sign, read it carefully and only sign when you fully understand the document. It is important to always keep a signed copy for your records.
Choosing a Child Care for Your Family
If you are looking to enroll your child(ren) into child care, it is very important that you choose a licensed facility. When a facility is licensed they are required to follow state regulations and statues and are subject to inspections.
To research a facility in Shawnee County to include prior inspection reports visit Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Kansas Law requires child cares to have a license under K.S.A. 65-501. License or temporary permit required: exemptions. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or association to conduct or maintain a child care facility for children under 16 years of age without having a license or temporary permit.